Anisotropic Heat-Exchanger/Stack Configurations for Thermoacoustic Heat Engines

摘要

The goal of the project was to explore the feasibility of novel configurations ofheat pumping elements and heat exchangers for thermoacoustic heat engines, which have high potential for replacing refrigerators using polluting gases. The approach involved anisotropic systems, such as made possible by glass capillary array technology. This approach allows a heat exchange fluid to flow directly across the heat pumping element of the thermoacoustic heat engine (the 'stack'), eliminating the necessity of separate heat exchangers and possibly improving efficiency. The research successfully determined both the theoretical and technological feasibility of the approach, and an actual prototype of an anisotropic stack/heat-exchanger unit was constructed. A part of the project involved the development of high power thermoacoustic refrigerators for testing the new systems. The research resulted in two patent disclosures.